RICHWOOD, W.Va. — In addition to the tornado that landed just a few miles from Richwood on Tuesday, the town has been dealing with severe flooding Thursday.
Mayor Robert Johnson said flooding has created untenable road conditions in much of the downtown area, has damaged around one dozen businesses, and forced the evacuation of the Nicholas County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center–a nursing home with between 100-110 residents normally.
The residents are now at Liberty Baptist Church.
Johnson said the Richwood Fire Department and his office have been coordinating with the Nicholas County Department of Homeland Security as they wait for the Cherry River–which did flow over it’s embankment–to subside.
“Waiting for the river to subside, and hopefully aren’t hammered with the next front until the river’s down a bit,” Johnson said.
There is no government issued call for evacuation, but Johnson said residents have been seeking higher ground regardless. Flooding has made using Route 39/55 nearly impossible, Johnson said.
“Cherry River did come out of it’s banks in several locations,” he said. “Cherry River plaza is flooded. The local nursing home has been fully evacuated to higher ground.”
Richwood received about three inches of rain earlier this week. Thursday morning’s line of storms did not help the situation.
“It was a substantial rainfall,” Johnson said. “Flooded the city extensively.”
Johnson said the Nicholas County Department of Homeland Security is expected to deliver water to the residents of the city as they wait out the next round of inclement weather. Already without power in much of the 2,000 person town, Nicholas County is now one of several West Virginia counties under a tornado watch from the National Weather Service through 10 pm Thursday evening.
“We have asked citizens to shelter in place if that can be safely done,” he said. “We hope to have enough municipal water supply, even without back-up generation, to last us until morning.”
Town Hall has power thanks to a back-up natural gas generator. Johnson said town residents can come in as needed.
Similarly, the town of Summersville dealt with flooding as well Thursday along Rt. 39.
The Greenbrier has also flooded. According to owner Jim Justice, flood waters have reached the resort, casino, and homes at the resort.
Source :http://wajr.com/
Out Of Topic Show Konversi KodeHide Konversi Kode Show EmoticonHide Emoticon